THE Gunnedah Bulldogs may have found a candidate for the role of head coach ahead of their 2019 AFL North West season. Long-time defender Andy Mack has not ruled out leading the side next season, after suffering a knee injury in this year’s preliminary final victory over the New England Nomads. “I’d give it a go,” Mack said of coaching next year. “At this stage things are a bit up in there air as to whether or not my knee injury will require surgery. “I’m currently doing a lot of work with the physio in what the doctor’s call the ‘prehab’ stage, which is trying to build the strength back up in the knee so that if it does require surgery the rehab won’t be as long. Support the local news that keeps you informed – subscribe today. “That stage will go until about mid-January, then I will have a chat with the doctor and we can work out if it requires surgery or not. “If it needs surgery then I would miss the footy season so I would certainly consider taking on the job. “However, if I am able to play then we might have to look at doing something else, but we will work that out down the line.” Read Also: The search for a new coach comes after Andrew George told Fairfax Media he wouldn’t continue in the job in 2019 despite leading the side to a grand final this season. “Obviously Georgie has done a terrific job with the group,” Mack said. “I know that if I were to take on the job of coaching from the sidelines next year I would have a lot of support from a lot of experienced guys.” Mack said there was potential for the side to have more than one coach. “I think a lot of the good methods we had under Greg Piggot in our premiership year of 2016 are still in place,” he said. “That does make it a lot easier for someone else to come in and carry on the good work. “There is also the potential for possibly two or three guys to share the coaching responsibilities and just have me take the title of head coach as it were. “Either way, I have spoken to the committee about it, I’m open to taking it on, but we will know more in January so stay tuned I guess.” Sign up to receive The Leader’s breaking news and top stories straight to your inbox.

North West AFL: Andy Mack to consider coaching Gunnedah Bulldogs in 2019

UNDER CONSIDERATION: Gunnedah Bulldogs defender Andy Mack is considering taking on a coaching role while he recovers from a knee injury.

THE Gunnedah Bulldogs may have found a candidate for the role of head coach ahead of their 2019 AFL North West season.

Long-time defender Andy Mack has not ruled out leading the side next season, after suffering a knee injury in this year’s preliminary final victory over the New England Nomads.

“I’d give it a go,” Mack said of coaching next year.

“At this stage things are a bit up in there air as to whether or not my knee injury will require surgery.

“I’m currently doing a lot of work with the physio in what the doctor’s call the ‘prehab’ stage, which is trying to build the strength back up in the knee so that if it does require surgery the rehab won’t be as long.